News Update
Security & Defence
– Security and Defence Partnership concluded between UK and EU
– Partnership covers cooperation on Ukraine, cyber, defence industry, crisis management, and more
– UK defence firms set to participate in the proposed £150bn EU Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund.
Fishing
– 12-year reciprocal fishing agreement until 30 June 2038
– No increase in EU quotas in UK waters
– UK to invest £360 million in fishing industry and coastal communities, such as upgrading equipment.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement
– UK and EU to establish a permanent SPS Agreement to reduce checks and red tape on food and agricultural trade with no time limit
– UK food like sausages and burgers can be exported to the EU again
– Some routine checks on animal and plant products will be removed completely
– Includes “dynamic alignment” of food rules, joint oversight, and a system to resolve disputes
– Extends to Great Britain–Northern Ireland trade via Windsor Framework
Climate & Energy
– UK and EU to link their Emissions Trading Systems (ETS)
– Prevents UK firms from paying EU carbon border tax (saving ~£800 million/year).
– Includes dynamic alignment and joint governance
– UK and EU to explore UK participation in EU internal electricity market
– Cooperation on hydrogen, carbon capture, and biomethane to continue
– Combined, the SPS and ETS agreements are projected to add £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040
Youth, Arts and Study
– Agreement to work towards a UK-EU “youth experience scheme”, like those with Australia/New Zealand, which will be “capped and time-limited”
– UK to rejoin Erasmus+ (subject to financial and legal terms)
– Agreement to support touring artists
Travel & Border Management
– UK nationals will be able to use eGates at EU borders, even after the new Entry/Exit System is introduced
– Pet passports for UK dogs and cats to be introduced (no need for individual trip certificates)
Trade & Services
– Conclusion of a Competition Cooperation Agreement
– UK and EU to set up dialogues on services trade, including:
1. Recognition of professional qualifications
2. Business mobility (entry and temporary stay of natural persons)
– British steel exports protected through bespoke arrangement – saves £25 million/year by avoiding tariffs and new EU rules
Law & Data Sharing
– Pending Europol arrangements to be finalised swiftly, including better exchange of fingerprints, DNA, vehicle registration data, and future facial images
– Further cooperation between UK and Europol/National Crime Agency planned
Judicial Cooperation
– UK to enter into Hague Convention on Judgments effective 1 July 2025
– UK and EU to improve judicial cooperation in civil, commercial, and family law
Health & Drugs Cooperation
– Regular dialogue to be established on health security, including pandemics, and a proposal for a working arrangement between UK authorities and the EU Drugs Agency
Illegal Migration
– Commitment to deepen cooperation on irregular migration, including on returns, best practice sharing, and tackling Channel crossings
– UK may participate in the Khartoum and Rabat Processes – EU-led initiatives focused on tackling human trafficking along key African routes
– Improved cooperation with Frontex and EU Asylum Agency.